Consumer SOS

Friday, March 5, 2010

Sean O'Shea

Fish Oil Supplements - March 2

The following fish oil products are the subject of a class-action lawsuit filed in California:

Nature Made Cod Liver Oil

Nature Made Odorless Fish Oil

TwinLab Norwegian Cod Liver Oil

TwinLab Emulsified Norwegian Cod Liver Oil

Now Foods Shark Liver Oil

Now Foods Double Strength Cod Liver Oil

Now Foods Salmon Oil

Solgar 100% Pure Norwegian Shark Liver Oil Complex

Solgar Norwegian Cod Liver Oil

GNC Liquid Norwegian Cod Liver Oil

Crib Recall - February 25

For more information on the recall of drop-side cribs made by Generation 2 Worldwide, click here.

Car Seat Recall - February 5

For more information on the Maxi-Cosi Mico infant seat base recall, click here.

Starbucks Recall - January 28

For more information on the recall of Starbucks Glass Water Bottles, click here.

Stroller Recall - January 20

For more information on the recall of Graco umbrella strollers, click here.

Crib Recall - January 19

For more information on the recall of Safety 1st and Dorel Drop-Side Cribs, click here.

Rolaids Recall - January 15

For more information on the Rolaids Antacids recall, click here.

Greyhound Route Changes - January 8

For a list of Greyhound bus routes being eliminated, click here.

Free Shipping - December 17

For a list of 205 Canadian online retailers that offer free shipping, click here.

Christmas Credit Calculator - December 15

To find out how long it will take you to pay back your holiday credit card debt, click here.

Sesame Street E-Books - December 8

The people behind Sesame Street have launched a series of free e-books aimed at children age 2-6. To see the books, click here.

Toyota Recall - November 25

Toyota has advised drivers of about four million of its vehicles, including about 400,000 vehicles in Canada, to remove the driver's side floor mats until they can resolve an issue that can cause the gas pedal to jam.

The vehicles affected are Camry (2007-2010); Avalon (2005-2010); Prius (2004-2009); Tacoma (2005-2010); Tundra (2007-2010); Lexus ES 350 (2007-2010); and the Lexus IS series (2006-2010).

For more information, click here.

Wooden Toy Recall - November 24

For full details of the recall of three Melissa & Doug products, click here.

Lead in Toys - November 18

To read the full report from the Center for Environmental Health, click here.

Safest 2010-Model Vehicles - November 18

For more information, click here.

2010 Canadian Car of the Year Award Winners - October 30

Courtesy: Automobile Journalists Association of Canada

Best New Small Car (under $21,000)

Mazda3

Best New Small Car (over $21,000)

Mazda3 Sport

Best New Family Car (under $30,000)

Volkswagen Golf Wagon

Best New Family Car (over $30,000)

Ford Taurus

Best New Luxury Car

BMW 335d Sedan

Best New Prestige Car

Porsche Panamera

Best New Sports / Performance (under $50,000)

Volkswagon Golf GTI

Best New Sports / Performance (over $50,000)

Audi S4

Best New Convertible

Audi A5 Cabriolet

Best New SUV / CUV (under $35,000)

Subaru Outback

Best New SUV / CUV ($35,000 - $60,000)

Volkswagon Touareg TDI Clean Diesel

Best New SUV / CUV (over $60,000)

Lexus RX450h

How to become a Contestor - October 19

Click on the links below to visit free Canadian contest websites:

Contest Queen

Canada Sweepstakes

Canadian Contests & Giveaways

ContestHound.ca Canada

Femail

Hypersweep

Last Chance Contests

Look Contests - use promo code ContestQueen

Warehouse Sales - October 13

Sean O'Shea's tips to finding the best Warehouse deals.

Listen to friends when they mention hot deals

Get on the store's email list. This usually means you get a one-day jump on the crowd. The reward for saving the retailer money on his mailing list is first crack at the merchandise.

To find out more about Mr. B's Warehouse Sale, click here.

To find out more about the William Ashley's Sale, click here.

Toyota Recall - September 30

For full details on the recall, click here.

Mandatory Boat Licences - September 15

If you haven’t already got your boat license, its not too late. Click here to take the test.

Fall Preserves - September 4

For more information on canning, visit the following:

Well Preserved

Home Canning

Recipe - BUBBLE-Y CHAMPAGNE GRAPEFRUIT JELLY

2 cups champagne

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 1/3 packet of powdered pectin

3 c. sugar

1 tsp. Grapefruit Juice (reduced)

zest of one grapefruit (optional - adds tartness)

Place Champagne, lemon juice and pectin in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to boil. Add the sugar and continue stirring until the mixture reaches a full, rolling boil. Stir in grapefruit zest - if you choose. Remove from heat and skim off any foam. Add grapefruit juice, and stir into mixture.

Ladle into jars -- leaving 1/8 inch space at the top of the jar.

Wipe rims clean. Remove air bubbles. Top with lids, and place in a hot water bath. Water must cover jars by one to two inches.

Cover, bring to a boil, and process for 10 minutes.

Remove jars and allow to cool. Check seal by pressing the lid, making sure the lid does not pop back.

Litterless Lunches - September 2

For more information, visit the following:

Lunchwithoutwaste.com

Fenigo

Rocker Shoes - September 1

FOOT SOLUTIONS

750 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto

$280 - $325

$265 - $300

$280 - $300

SHAPE UPS by Sketchers

$145 - $155

EASY TONES by Reebok

Sears Fridge Warning - August 26

Sears Canada has issued a warning about the potential fire hazards posed by two stoves sold in their stores. Sears said some models of the Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite smooth top free-standing electric ranges may turn on "spontaneously,'' fail to turn off or heat to different temperatures than the ones indicated.

For a full list of the products affected, click here.

Storm Insurance - August 21

To find out how to be ready for an emergency, check out http://bereadytoday.ca

Electronics Recycling - August 20

The Ontario government has launched the first phase of the Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) program to decrease the amount of hazardous waste in our lanfills and encourage recycling and proper disposal of unwanted electronic equipment. The OES has set up numerous free drop-off sites throughout the province. To find the location nearest you, go to www.dowhatyoucan.com and type in your postal code.

Fridge Recall - August 18

Viking Range Corporation has recalled built-in refrigerators due to injury hazard. Click here for full details of the recall.

Wii Battery Recall - August 14

Two four-dock Wii battery recharge stations are being recalled, because the devices can overheat.

The products affected are the Psyclone Essentials and the React charging stations.

For more information, click here.

Happy Camping - August 13

Products featured in Laura Zilke's story:

Silk sleeping bag liner

Espresso maker

Mug-sized coffee press

Espresso cup

Platypus Platypreserve 800ml Wine Preservation System

Satellite system

Recipe - Thai Coconut Chicken

2 cups Jasmine rice

3 cups water

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 pieces frozen boneless chicken breast

1 tablespoon curry powder

6 asparagus sprouts

1 cup snow peas

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1 red onion

1 can coconut milk

*everything except the can of coconut milk can be dehydrated for a meal later in the trip

1.Boil rice in water and let simmer for 20 minutes

2.Place chicken and curry powder in a zip lock bag and shake to coat chicken.

3.Cook chicken in oiled pan over medium heat 4-5 minutes. Then mix in the chopped asparagus and onion, shredded carrots and snow peas and cook for another 3 minutes.

4.Pour in coconut milk and continue cooking until sauce has heated up and chicken is cooked through.

5. Serve all on a bed of rice.

Little Tikes Recall - August 13

Little Tikes is recalling 1.6 million toy workshops and trucks because of a choking hazard. The products were sold with red or blue plastic toy nails.

For a full list of the products affected, click here.

Yoga Jeans - August 12

The following stores sell "Yoga Jeans":

306

Trixie

Spyware Scam - August 10

To find good anti-spyware programs, visit the following sites.